Fugitive father Tom Phillips, who vanished with his three children four years ago, has been killed by police following a shootout.

In 2021, Phillips, along with his children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, disappeared from their family home in New Zealand following a reported custody battle with their mother, Cat.

Phillips had previously taken the kids in September 2021, but he returned to his parents' farmhouse after claiming he'd taken them on a camping trip to clear his head; however, he was later charged with wasting police resources.

Nineteen months later, he disappeared along with his children, and an arrest warrant was put out after he'd failed to turn up to his court appearance.

Sightings of Phillips and his children were sporadic, and CCTV footage in August appeared to capture him and one of his children allegedly breaking into a store in the small town of Piopio in the early hours before driving off on a quad bike.

In the early hours of the morning (September 8), police responded to an attempted burglary at a farm supply store in Piopio, where they were met with gunfire after approaching one of two quad bikes that spikes had caught on the road.

Phillips and one of his children were believed to have been recently captured on CCTV (New Zealand Police)

Authorities say that the first officer was shot in the head, leaving them in critical condition, while a second officer responded to the gunfire, leading to the shooter's death at the scene.

Police have yet to formally identify the shooter as Phillips; however, his sister, Rozzi Phillips, confirmed his identity to local media.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jill Rogers said that one of the missing children was with him at the time, but was unharmed.

With help from the first child, authorities were able to locate the two other children, who were discovered unharmed at a remote campsite and have since been taken for medical checks.

Rogers said the children had been 'cooperating' with officials since being discovered, and it is not clear yet whether they are aware of Phillips' death.

Phillips first went missing in 2021 (New Zealand Police)

The children’s mother has also been informed of their whereabouts; however, Rogers has not clarified whether she or the children’s grandparents will be involved in the care of the children going forward.

Before the shootout, Phillips' family had issued a plea for him to return the children and turn himself in.

His mom Julia penned in a handwritten note: "Everyday I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you all come home.

"Tom - I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this. Not considering how much we love you and can support you.

"It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here.

"Jayda, Maverick, Ember - I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives."

The mother of the three children who disappeared with their father four years ago has spoken out following his death.

In 2021, Tom Phillips disappeared with his three children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, into the New Zealand wilderness.

According to authorities, Phillips did not have legal custody of their children, and first disappeared in September before returning, leading to the father-of-three being charged with wasting police resources.

In December, the family vanished again, and numerous sightings of Phillips and his children were reported, with CCTV footage shot in August showing what appeared to be Phillips and one of his children at a small store in Piopio.

And today (September 8), authorities said that a man believed to be Phillips had been shot and killed during a shootout with police, which left one officer with critical, but 'survivable' injuries.

Phillips first went missing in 2021 (New Zealand Police)

One of the children was there at the scene, but was unharmed and later helped police with the search for their two other siblings, who were found safe at a remote campsite. All three children have been taken into custody for medical checks.

Their mother, Cat, has since issued a statement following the discovery of her children. She told local outlet Mata that she is relieved that the ordeal is over for her kids.

She said (via RNZ): “First and foremost, we are deeply relieved that for our tamariki (children) this ordeal has come to an end. [The children] have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.

"At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved."

On behalf of the family, Cat also expressed compassion for the police officer injured in the shootout, who, according to the BBC, has undergone the first of several surgeries.

Cat has expressed her relief at her children's safe discovery (YouTube/RNZ)

She added: “We also extend our aroha (compassion and love )to those in the community who have been affected, and our heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have supported us over these past four years. Your compassion has sustained us.”

“As a whānau (family), we are now attempting to work in cooperation with the relevant government agencies to support the safe return and reconnection of our tamariki.

"They have endured a long and difficult journey, and we ask for privacy as we help them adjust and reintegrate into a stable and loving environment.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers said in a press conference that it is unclear if the children are aware of their father's death; however, she declined to comment on whether their mother and grandparents would be involved in their care going forward.